MERCANTILE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does mercantile mean? 

• MERCANTILE (adjective)
  The adjective MERCANTILE has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism

2. profit oriented

3. relating to or characteristic of trade or traders

  Familiarity information: MERCANTILE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MERCANTILE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

mercantile system

Pertainym:

mercantilism (an economic system (Europe in 18th century) to increase a nation's wealth by government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Profit oriented

Synonyms:

mercantile; mercenary; moneymaking

Context example:

a moneymaking business

Similar:

commercial (connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Relating to or characteristic of trade or traders

Context example:

the mercantile North was forging ahead

Similar:

commercial (connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises)

 Context examples 

I propose, said Mr. Micawber, Bills—a convenience to the mercantile world, for which, I believe, we are originally indebted to the Jews, who appear to me to have had a devilish deal too much to do with them ever since—because they are negotiable.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Miss Hawkins was the youngest of the two daughters of a Bristol—merchant, of course, he must be called; but, as the whole of the profits of his mercantile life appeared so very moderate, it was not unfair to guess the dignity of his line of trade had been very moderate also.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)